The Jury: Liverpool FC fans give the verdict on the Chelsea match and Alberto Aquilani

AFTER enduring the Fiorentina fiasco and the Chelsea collapse, Rafa now seems to be offering the olive branch of Aquilani's arrival, to quell fans’ growing fears about Liverpool's squad strength and our abilities to win anything.

AFTER enduring the Fiorentina fiasco and the Chelsea collapse, Rafa now seems to be offering the olive branch of Aquilani's arrival, to quell fans’ growing fears about Liverpool's squad strength and our abilities to win anything.

After again seeing Torres left totally isolated on Sunday, Aquilani probably thinks he'll fit right in.

Whether he proves to be the creative spark we need, remains to be seen. But when you have an owner who's already criticising the manager, and a manager who's begun criticising the team, it doesn't exactly bode well for the season.

At Stamford Bridge, Benitez seemed to be playing for a draw. Yet when he insists on playing Riera, who seems averse to running or tackling and Lucas, who could disappear in a crowded lift, Sunday became a "bridge too far"

PAUL ANDERSON, Orrell Park

THE panic button is in sight, but not being reached for, yet.

In a week which saw us suffer 2-0 defeats in Florence and at Chelsea it has been an ideal chance for critics to question the credentials of Rafa Benitez’s side.

Sunday was hugely disappointing, mainly due to the fact we more than held our own but Anelka’s goal left a bitter taste that last year’s heroics at Stamford Bridge would not be repeated.

The finger pointing continues, but surely it can’t all be down to the exit of Xabi Alonso. The pressure will be now be mounted on Alberto Aquilani, as supporters expect him to have the bite of Souness, finesse of Dalglish and guile of Barnes, but no doubt he will need time to settle.

The worst thing about the whole sorry affair is we are denied an opportunity to bounce straight back and have to wait for the latest internet phenomenon England to play a meaningless qualifying game.

IAN RICHARDSON, Rock Ferry

THE summer arrival of Alberto Aquilani raised a few eyebrows amongst most Reds fans, his poor injury record being of particular concern.

With his debut only a couple of weeks away and the Liverpool midfield not firing on all cylinders, there will be massive pressure on him to perform from his first kick.

Most supporters will expect Lucas to make way for our new recruit but with Javier Mascherano not currently displaying his best form places will be up for grabs.

Despite being highly rated in Italy, Alberto will need time to bed in and gain match sharpness. He is expected to bring a new dimension to Liverpool’s midfield not only holding the play and protecting the back four but also adding an attacking threat. Hopefully he will be more positive than our previous holding player, currently living out his dream in Madrid

PAUL O’LEARY, Allerton

IF Alberto Aqualini wasn’t fully aware of the expectancy that would be placed upon his shoulders when he signed for us, then he need only to go onto any LFC forum or listen to phone-in radio stations this week to get an inkling!

Our poor start to the season has left many fans looking to a glimmer of hope, a knight in shining armour ... will Alberto please stand up!

I fear for his Liverpool career even before he has kicked a ball in anger. He is going to find himself under immense and immediate pressure the minute he runs onto our hallowed turf for his debut. If only for the fact that Rafa has spoken in the press about how his game will bring an added dimension to our attacking play.

My hope is that coming from a football city to rival Liverpool will have already exposed him to the wall of expectancy he will be facing in three weeks’ time. Good luck Alberto.